Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Andino, two other Minor Leaguers suspended

Veteran infielder, two Dominican Summer League players get bans
Robert Andino played 108 games for Triple-A New Orleans before signing with the Orioles this offseason. (Jamie Harms/MiLB.com)
May 31, 2017

A veteran with 481 games of experience in the Majors and two Dominican Summer League players received suspensions Wednesday for violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.Baltimore infielder Robert Andino was suspended 50 games after testing positive for the stimulant Amphetamine while Orioles outfielder Johnny Dixon and D-backs

A veteran with 481 games of experience in the Majors and two Dominican Summer League players received suspensions Wednesday for violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
Baltimore infielder Robert Andino was suspended 50 games after testing positive for the stimulant Amphetamine while Orioles outfielder Johnny Dixon and D-backs left-handed pitcher Bryan Valdez were both banned 72 games after testing positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance.

Minor League drug suspensions in 2017
Andino was hitting .234/.282/.375 with six homers in 49 games for Triple-A Norfolk at the time of his suspension. The 33-year-old played parts of 10 seasons in the Majors with the Marlins, Orioles and Mariners before signing a Minor League league deal with Baltimore in February that included a non-roster invitation to Spring Training. His suspension will begin immediately and will likely keep him out until late July.
Both Dixon and Valdez had yet to play in 2017 and will have to wait until the beginning of the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League for their 72-game suspensions to begin. Dixon batted .256/.326/.339 with three homers in 65 games on the circuit last season while Valdez posted a 6-2 record with a 1.73 ERA, 86 strikeouts and only five walks in 67 2/3 innings in the same league.
Thirty-eight players have been suspended this season for violating the Minor League drug program.

Sam Dykstra is a reporter for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @SamDykstraMiLB.